Imitation suede is a subtle and
stylish addition to your home
decor.

Weave Easy

Weaving this imitation-suede coffee table is so easy -- and so stylish. Cut a 20- x 40-inch piece from 3/4-inch-thick plywood. Top with 4-inch-thick automotive upholstery foam cut to the same size; adhere to plywood with spray upholstery adhesive. Cut a 30- x 50-inch piece of muslin, and wrap it around top and sides of foam; staple bottom edges to back of plywood.

You will need two subtle shades of imitation suede, such as Ultrasuede. Cut a 4-inch-wide strip of the darker fabric long enough to fit snugly around the perimeter of the foam. Sew short ends together. Fit the loop around foam to cover the sides. To cover the table lengthwise, cut five 42-inch-long strips of imitation suede (three dark, two light). Alternating light and dark strips, cover the foam piece lengthwise, tucking every other strip end underneath the edge band; staple all ends to the plywood back so strips are smooth across foam.

To cover the table width, cut ten 22-inch-long imitation suede strips (six light, four dark). Starting with a dark strip, staple one end to the plywood back, bring the strip up and over the edge band, and weave the strip under and over the lengthwise strips. Staple loose end of strip to the plywood back. Repeat with a light strip, beginning the strip underneath the edge band and weaving over and under the lengthwise strips; staple loose end to plywood back. Repeat, alternating dark and light strips to finish.

 

Metal legs create a more
contemporary look.

For legs, use four 8-inch lengths of plumbing pipe that are threaded at both ends and eight circular closet rod brackets. Screw each end of each pipe length into a bracket. To secure the top, in each corner, screw one bracket-and-pipe combination to back of plywood, screwing through all four holes in the attached end brackets.

For a traditional look, substitute purchased wooden furniture legs for the metal ones. You can simplify the project by having an employee at a home center cut the plywood top to size for you. Or, eliminate the plywood top and use a secondhand coffee table for the base. An old piano bench would also work; cut the legs down to 8 inches. Adjust the size of foam and imitation-suede pieces accordingly.